Is it ok to punch Nazis?
Yes, definitely, 100%.
What is fascism?
There are a lot of different definitions of fascism out there, but here’s one that we find particularly useful: Fascism is a movement that emerges during a period of capitalist crisis, and has its mass base in the middle class or "petite bourgeoisie". During the crisis, members of the middle class are faced with the prospect of losing their position of relative privilege, and being pushed down into the ranks of the working poor. Some middle class people join fascist movements and turn against marginalized or persecuted groups in the hopes of securing their position above them through organized violence, mass deportations, genocide, and imperialism.
Fascist movements use marginalized people as scapegoats, blaming them for all the ills of society, and turning people’s attention away from the people in power and the capitalist institutions that gave rise to the crisis in the first place. This is why fascist groups often receive money and support from rich business owners who recognize that fascism benefits them, while hurting the marginalized, working class people who are the main targets of fascist violence.
Fascism can also be seen as a reaction to progressive movements that are fighting back against oppression--a last-ditch attempt to reinforce existing hierarchies, and prevent working class revolt. This is why fascists have historically targeted communists, anarchists, and other far left groups whose politics are directly opposed to fascism.
Ok, so what is anti-fascism?
Fascism grows, in large part, because its presence is accepted and tolerated by the majority of people. Very few people actually completely buy in to fascist beliefs or join openly fascist organizations, but plenty of people do nothing when these organizations, say, decide to hold a rally, or partner with front groups that are less openly fascist, but still push a right-wing, racist agenda. Anti-fascists are people who do not want fascism to grow and gain power, and have decided to do something about it.
Anti-fascism is a movement made up of lots of different people who are taking steps to defend themselves and their communities against the fascist threat, using a wide variety of tactics. Although anti-fascists are often demonized by the media, who portray them as dangerous radicals, many anti-fascists are actually putting themselves in extreme danger by standing up to fascists and their supporters (which often include cops).
Fascism ultimately affects all of us, but sitting back and waiting for it to go away isn’t going to work. We need to build a mass movement, one that is opposed to fascism and to everything it represents.
Where can I find out more?
Here’s a list of readings that should help get you started:
Clara Zetkin. Fascism.
Ena͞emaehkiw Wākecānāpaew Kesīqnaeh. Fascism & Anti-Fascism: A Decolonial Perspective.
J. Sakai. The Shock of Recognition.
Michael Parenti. Blackshirts and Reds: Rational Fascism and the Overthrow of Communism.
Zak Cope. Divided World, Divided Class.
Leon Trotsky. Fascism: What It Is and How To Fight It.
William Robinson and Mario Barrera. Global capitalism and twenty-first century fascism: a US case study.
Josephine Armistead. The Silicon Ideology and The Silicon Ideology Revisited.
It’s Going Down. The New Neo-Nazis: How Matthew Heimbach is Building a Racist Network Across the US.
Matthew Lyons. Calling them "alt-right" helps us fight them.
Cindi Milstein. This Is What Community Self-Defense and Solidarity Looks Like, or Should!
Anti-Fascist News. The Complete Anti-Fascist Reading List.